Manchester United have four Premier League games left to play in 2025.
It has been a turbulent year for the Red Devils, but they now have a golden chance to repair the damage by pushing into the top four before the year ends.
United currently sit sixth in the table, level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea and within striking distance of the Champions League spots.
Their next test sees AFC Bournemouth visit Old Trafford, followed by a tricky trip to Villa Park to face high-flying Aston Villa.
They will then close out the year with back-to-back home games against Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Bournemouth are a gritty side, but their form has collapsed in recent weeks.
The Cherries are winless in their last six matches, and Ruben Amorim must ensure his team capitalise with all three points.
Facing Aston Villa will be a challenging task.
They surged into third place, highlighted by a thrilling 2–1 win over league leaders Arsenal.
Even a point against the Midlands outfit will be a bonus.
Newcastle are struggling to find rhythm, while Wolves look alarmingly poor and barely at Premier League level.
United could easily bag nine points this December, apart from the tricky tie with Villa.
Three wins will take them to 34 points, which should be enough to reclaim fourth place before 2025 draws to a close.
With the table so delicately poised, United cannot afford to let this opportunity slip through their fingers.
For Amorim, the year-end target must be to secure European football.
Anything less than that would not just be disappointing, it would be a failure significant enough to put his job firmly on the line.